Arnold Hanish was completely surprised when he learned he would be receiving a Distinguished Service Award from his alma mater, the University of Cincinnati College of Business.
“I didn’t even know I was nominated for this when I got the call in November,” said the Carmel resident, who received the award at the Business Achievement Awards ceremony on 3 March in Cincinnati. “It’s based on contribution and service to the university. I endowed the first minority scholarship at the university, specifically for minority students, majoring in accounting. Minorities are sorely underrepresented in accounting. I thought it was important to endow a scholarship to enable more minorities to major in accounting.
Hanish, 74, said the Hanish Business Fellows Scholarship was established in 2011. He continues to contribute financially to increase the annual scholarship fund.
“I’m very proud of it,” he said. “I have had the opportunity to mentor fellows over the past 10 years.
Hanish said he remains active at the university, serving on UC’s Business Advisory Council and UC’s Accounting Advisory Department.
“I talk to students about business ethics and leadership,” Hanish said. “I am talking about soft skills. It has been a pleasure for me to give back. I believe it is important to pass it on to the next generation. One way I could pay for it is with the scholarship.
Hanish received a Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2011. He retired as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Eli Lilly and Co. in December 2012. He began his career at Lilly as a director of national tax operations in 1984. In 1986 he moved into a financial reporting role and was appointed chief accounting officer in 1994. He previously worked for Arthur Young & Company (now Ernst & Young) after obtaining his degree from the University of Cincinnati.
Harnish moved to Carmel in 1979.
